Pest control is one of the most common house necessities this 2020. Seeing that infestations have become more rampant, you need professionals to eliminate pests for good. There are instances when DIY methods are not enough to cut pest infestations. This is because its effects do not last as long as the methods applied by professionals.
Many of you might think hiring professionals is a bad idea. This is because of the stigma that experts use harmful pesticides for pest control. So, here's the truth for you. Pest control professionals only use pesticides as their last resort for elimination. Most of your strategies during extermination processes involve natural methods under the Integrated Pest Management approach or IPM.
What Is Integrated Pest Management Or IPM?
According to experts, the main focus of IPM is the long-term prevention of pests. It focuses on controlling the damage that has already been inflicted by these pesky creatures. With the use of IPM, professionals use safe methods to protect the ecosystem from the harmful effects of chemicals. This way, no human, animal, or plant is harmed nor put at risk of pesticide-related illnesses.
If you are asking why pesticides are an issue in the environment, let me tell you its effects. The World Health Organization has advocated for the limited use of pesticides due to its negative effects on the environment. Pesticides leave residue on crops, air, and water sources. When the residue is accidentally inhaled or ingested by human beings, it results in several illnesses such as food poisoning, organ failure, and damage to the nervous system.
According to studies, children who grew up near industries and farms that use excessive chemicals are prone to brain malfunctions. Pesticides have been found to cause autism, ADHD, and other psychological disorders to human beings. Seeing how dangerous it is, we need to limit the use of pesticides only to situations that IPM can no longer cater to.
What Is The Approach Of IPM?
Professionals have developed four approaches to integrated pest management. The first one is the biological approach. This uses the natural enemies of pests. This includes predators, pathogens, parasites, and competitors. The most common example of this approach is getting a cat when facing a mouse problem.
If you're having problems with worms in your garden, attract birds or cultivate chicken to eliminate these pests immediately. Other professionals recommend using nematodes to get rid of a variety of garden pests including grubs, armyworms, and cutworms. Depending on the common pests in your area, it pays off to learn what scares them and what feeds on them.
The second approach to Integrated Pest Management is cultural control. This is the practice of reducing pest establishment. It prevents these pesky creatures from reproducing and surviving in your environment. One good example of this approach is the development of irrigation among farms to eliminate the attraction of garden pests.
In the household, one way to control pest infestation is regular housekeeping. If you hire a professional, this is one thing that can recommend. It makes your house unattractive to different insects. Because there's too much human activity, they are unlikely to dwell within your vicinity. Pests such as mice, roaches, ants, and bed bugs are likely to find another place to establish a habitat.
Many professionals use Diatomaceous Earth. This is a non-chemical powder that is made of fossilized algae called diatoms. It doesn't have to be ingested by pests to work. It just needs to get in contact with their bodies.
Diatomaceous Earth works by destroying the exoskeleton of pests, dehydrating it from the outside. In a couple of minutes, the insect will be dried out. When this powder is applied strategically inside and outside your house, it will make the environment unsuitable to pests. Therefore, it inhibits reproduction and infestation.
The third approach of integrated pest management is mechanical and physical control. This method involves killing pests directly or blocking them out. The best example of this method is applying traps strategically in pest-infested areas. Depending on the kind of insect you're dealing with, there are specialized tools to trap each one of them. This is why the pest professionals need to assess what kind of infestation they're facing to determine the necessary strategies to apply.
Mechanical and physical control also involves using barriers such as sealants to keep pests at bay. When you hire a professional, they will check your house for the possible entryways of pests. This way, they can close the cracks and crevices that give insects access inside your house.
If you want to do it your way, conduct a monthly assessment on the whole perimeter of your house. Check any cracks and crevices on your walls and floors and fix them. If you cannot do it on your own, contact a professional to do it efficiently for you.
The fourth and last approach of integrated pest management is chemical control. However, professionals steer clear of the use of harmful pesticides. Since these have poor aim, there's a huge tendency that it will be killing the good organisms along with the bad. This is why professionals use low-impact methods for pest control.
What Are The Common Pests That Pest Control Professionals Deal With?
What is the big deal in having some pests in the household anyway? It's not like people are going to get in trouble if insects existed. This is a common misconception and an underestimation of pests. If you only knew how fatal the effects of some pests are, you will be clamoring over a pest control professional to deal with the problem. Here are the reasons people choose to hire professionals before it's too late.
Mice Infestations
Mice are the most common rodents that infest homes. Apart from the fact that the cause diseases to the family, they also damage homes and belongings. Did you know that house mice are responsible for about 25% of the total house fires in the United States alone? If your house is infested with mice, don't you think it's best to get rid of these immediately?
Without urgent support, your family could catch Salmonellosis, Hantavirus, Leprosy, Plague, and other diseases. Plus, if you don't act now, many of your belongings will be subject to damage. The worst part is, when mice get to your ceiling, they will chew on the electrical wirings that can cause a fire.
Cockroach Infestations
If you think that these insects are harmless in the household, you're wrong. Cockroaches harbor millions of bacteria on their bodies. With their speed of 3 miles per hour, who knows how many bacteria cockroaches can spread in just 1 minute. This will put your family's life at risk of several diseases.
Termite Infestations
These creatures are known as the silent destroyers. By the time you know about the infestation, the damage will have been beyond repair. As laypersons, we can't deal with termites alone considering we don't have the resources to do so. Only pest control professionals can get to the termite nest before they can do more damage. With the help of the professionals, you can eliminate termites for good and put an end to the damage they bring to your house.
Wasps Presence
These are the more aggressive cousins of bees. Many people have died because of a wasp attack. If your house is infested by these creatures, you are in trouble. You can just sit back a wasp's nest without prior knowledge about their abilities. You need someone who knows how to attack wasps by surprise so they can't strike back.
What Are The Steps In Applying IPM?
Just like any other process, IPM is carried out systematically. Pest control professionals observe two stages of IPM. The first one is the identification of pests. During this phase, the professional does background research on the insects that cause a nuisance. This way, the professional is enlightened about its strengths, weaknesses, habitats, life cycle, and activities. The information gathered will give an idea of the best technique to apply for elimination.
The second stage of integrated pest management is monitoring and assessment. This is the phase where the pest control professional finds the nest of the insects. This way, they can strategically place the traps and successfully apply the methods for pest control. As laypersons, we only know what we are dealing with. But we have no idea how to eliminate them and where to find them. We focus on the insects that are in front of us. We neglect to eliminate the source. This is why no matter how much DIY we use, pests always keep on coming back.
Why You Must Hire Professionals Exterminators Near Me?
The most effective way of dealing with pests is to hire professionals rather than eliminating pests on their own. Not only will this save you money, but hiring a professional will also save you time and effort. With their efficient methods of pest control, all you need to do is relax and the job is done in a couple of hours.
If you're looking for Charlotte exterminators that offer reliable and affordable service, contact Go-Forth Home Services now and get the best deals. For as low as $30 per month, you can have the pest-free environment you deserve for the rest of your life.